On Sunday, August 2, 2026, Michael Eugene Harkin passed away peacefully in his sleep. Michael was born on August 16, 1958, in Muncie, Indiana. Michael was one of the leading anthropologists in the United States, receiving his PhD from the University of Chicago in 1988. He conducted fieldwork in the Heiltsuk community of Bella Bella, British Columbia, and served as a professor and chair of Anthropology at the University of Wyoming.   

Michael was an adventurous spirit and well-traveled, having lived in multiple countries, including China, Romania, Greece, France, Austria and Canada, making friends everywhere he went. He was a lover of the outdoors, hiking, skiing and mountain biking with his friends and family, instilling a love of nature in his children. He loved music, particularly the Grateful Dead and James Taylor, and you could often find him enjoying local music around town. He was even known to occasionally pick up an acoustic guitar himself.

He was well read and loved fantasy, reading book series such as The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter to his children every evening as they were growing up. Beyond his numerous academic publications, he had an artistic side and was a published poet, receiving an award for his poetry from the Wyoming Arts Council, as well as playing the role of a sometimes actor in local productions.

He was a kind, funny and caring man, well-loved by animals and people alike. He loved to bring happiness to others and was a thoughtful gift-giver. His empathy extended beyond his family members, and he often provided support and help to his friends and fellow community members.

He is survived by his wife of almost forty-two years, Alison; their three children, Caroline, James and William; and sister, Andrea Harkin. His wife and children loved him greatly and will miss him forever. He will also be dearly missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him. 

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to a charity that was close to Michael’s heart, such as The Downtown Clinic in Laramie, Wyoming. 

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, August 8, at O’Dwyer’s Public House in Laramie, Wyoming, from 3 – 7 p.m. There will be a more formal celebration in the fall.

Masonboro

            By Michael Harkin 

I have ridden the waves of time: of days and years. 

I have written the lines erased by the tide. 

To land on an unexpected shore, 

One that’s oddly unstable, a palimpsest. 

My father and I were walking—in a dream— 

And I pointed out something dead on the beach 

A horseshoe crab, perhaps, or a gull— 

As the tide recedes, and the dreamer awakes.